Chapter 61: The Punishment
Xavier and Agatha’s footsteps were completely silent as they stepped onto the thick carpet in the villa’s corridor. Xavier’s grip on Agatha’s wrist never loosened. It was so tight her skin began to flush, but she didn't utter a single complaint. They crept past Melynda’s room with extreme caution. Xavier didn't want his mother waking up to see the cut on Agatha’s face or the raw fury burning in his eyes.
When they reached their door, Xavier swung it open with one hand, his fingers trembling from the sheer force of his suppressed emotions. He shoved Agatha inside and kicked the door shut with his heel. The sound of the lock clicking into place felt deafening in the heavy silence of the night. He didn't bother with the lights. Only a sliver of moonlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, casting sharp, grey shadows across their faces.
Xavier spun Agatha around instantly, pinning her back against the hard wooden door. "Just how many lives do you think you have, sweetheart?" his voice was a low, dangerous growl.
Agatha met his gaze, his eyes glinting like a predator's in the dark. She could feel his hot, ragged breath against her face. "I knew what I was doing, Xavier. I can handle myself."
"You don't know a damn thing!" Xavier snapped. His voice was strained, muffled so it wouldn't carry outside the room. He caught her jaw between his thumb and forefinger, forcing her to look up at him. "You went up against Kalea alone. Do you have any idea who she is? She’s not some street thug you can just toy with. She’s a cold blooded killing machine."
"I’m a killing machine too, Xavier. Or did you forget who I was before we got married?" Agatha’s voice remained steady, even though her heart was thumping hard against her ribs from how close he was.
Xavier let out a sharp, bitter laugh. "You’re my wife now. You’re not some field agent who can just jump into a lion's den whenever you feel like it. Why didn't you wake me up? Why did you have to go out there like a thief in the night?"
"Because you looked exhausted. I only meant to check the shack for a second. I didn't expect Kalea to be there already," Agatha answered truthfully.
"Check it for a second and come home with a sliced cheek?" Xavier’s touch turned rough as he grazed the cut on her face. Agatha hissed as his thumb pressed into the stinging wound. "This is just the start, Agatha. If that blade had shifted an inch, you would've lost an eye. Do you want me to watch you lose a part of yourself because of your own recklessness?"
Agatha took a long breath. She could feel his anger radiating through his touch. "I managed to wound her. That means she can be beaten. I’m not as fragile as you think."
"I don't care if you wounded her or killed her!" Xavier let go of her jaw and grabbed her shoulders instead. He shook her slightly, her back hitting the door again and again. "I care about you being safe. You think I can just sleep soundly knowing you’re out there fighting for your life alone in the dark?"
"I’m sorry," Agatha whispered.
"Sorry doesn't cut it, Agatha," Xavier said. His gaze darkened, turning into something deep and obsidian. He leaned in until their noses brushed. "You need a punishment to remind you who owns your life now. You don't get to throw your life away without my permission."
Xavier crashed his lips onto hers. The kiss wasn't gentle. It was an aggressive assault, fueled by rage and a desperate sense of possession. He bit her lower lip, forcing her mouth open. Agatha didn't fight him. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, matching his intensity with her own.
Xavier broke away for a second just to breathe, his chest heaving. "Don't you ever dare do that again."
"Or what? You'll lock me up?" Agatha challenged him, her voice a provocative rasp.
Xavier didn't bother with words. He slid his hand under her black jacket, his rough palm tracing the warmth of her back. In one swift move, he hoisted her up until her legs were locked around his waist. He carried her to the bed and dropped her onto the soft mattress.
He was over her before she could even move. He kissed her neck hungrily, leaving dark marks against her skin. His hand tangled in her hair, pulling it back just enough to force her head up, giving him full access.
"It hurts, Xavier," Agatha murmured, but her voice didn't sound like a plea for him to stop. She pulled his head back down, wanting more.
"Good. Maybe the pain will help you remember the next time you have a crazy idea to sneak out on me," Xavier muttered against her skin. He moved to her ear, his voice dropping into a heavy whisper. "You belong to me, Agatha. Every drop of your blood, every scar on your skin, that’s my business. You have no right to damage what’s mine."
Agatha cupped his face, her palms forcing him to look her in the eyes. "I just wanted to help, Xavier. I hate being a burden, just sitting here in the villa while you do all the work."
"You’re not a burden! You’re my damn heart!" Xavier growled. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, his breath hot against her skin. "You have no idea what it felt like to wake up, reach for your side of the bed, and find it cold. I thought they had already slipped in and taken you."
Agatha could feel his frame trembling. This man, usually so untouchable and cold, was showing her his deepest fear. "I’m here, Xavier. I’m not going anywhere without you."
Xavier lifted his head. He stared at her with an overwhelming intensity. He started kissing her wounded cheek again, but this time it was incredibly soft, as if he was terrified of hurting her further. But a second later, the aggression returned. He pinned her hands above her head, locking them against the pillow.
"You like playing with fire, don't you?" Xavier asked with a faint, joyless smirk.
"I like the challenges you give me," Agatha shot back.
"Then your challenge is to stay awake with me tonight," Xavier said. He kissed her again, deeper and more demanding this time. His free hand strayed to her stomach, moving up to her collarbone, lingering there just to feel her heart racing.
Agatha closed her eyes. She let him do whatever he wanted. She knew this was his way of letting go of the fear and stress. His over the top possessiveness made her feel deeply wanted. She didn't need romantic words; she just needed this raw, dominating presence.
"Xavier," she gasped as his lips hit the sensitive spot below her ear.
"Say my name again," he ordered.
"Xavier. Mine," she said clearly.
Xavier released her hands, letting her wrap her arms around him tightly, her nails digging into his back through his shirt. They moved together in the dark, a messy tangle of limbs. Xavier kept his touch rough but full of passion, trailing kisses across her face and neck. He didn't give her a chance to breathe. Every time she tried to speak, he silenced her with another kiss.
"Who do you belong to?" Xavier asked between breaths.
"You," Agatha answered without a shred of doubt.
"Say it again until it's burned into your brain."
"I'm yours, Xavier. Always yours," she panted.
Xavier stopped for a moment. He looked down at her, his eyes heavy but still sharp. He ran his thumb over her lips, which were slightly swollen from his rough kisses. "Don't you ever forget it. If you die, I'll hunt you down to hell just to drag you back to my side."
Agatha gave a small, meaningful smile. She tugged at his collar to bring him closer. "I'm not dying that easily. We still have a lot of business to settle."
"Yeah, and tomorrow we'll settle it together. I'm not letting you take a single step without me watching. But tonight, you’re only focusing on me," Xavier said. He crashed his lips against hers again, more brutal than before.
The room was filled with the sound of ragged breathing and the friction of skin against the messy sheets. Xavier didn't give her a second to think about anything else. No Kalea, no Vargo, no Luigi. In that dark room, there was only the two of them, locked in a feverish heat.
After a long time, Xavier finally collapsed beside her. He pulled her into his arms, tucking her head against his chest as his heart gradually slowed down. He kissed the top of her head over and over, holding her like she might vanish if he let go.
"Go to sleep," he whispered hoarsely.
Agatha closed her eyes, feeling exhausted but strangely at peace. "Thank you, Xavier."
"For what?"
"For giving a damn about me, no matter how reckless I get," she whispered before finally falling into a deep sleep in the arms of the most possessive man she’d ever known.
Xavier didn't fall asleep immediately. He stayed awake, staring at the locked door. He traced the cut on Agatha’s cheek with the lightest touch of his finger, careful not to wake her. His mind was already racing toward his next move. He swore to himself that anyone who dared touch Agatha and hurt her would pay a price they couldn't afford.